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Update on Commander Riker
#6701
05/19/03 05:14 PM
05/19/03 05:14 PM
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,899 Jacksonville, FL
Xfilefan
OP
Serious Glideritis
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OP
Serious Glideritis
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,899
Jacksonville, FL
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Sorry this is so late in coming, folks. You are a fabulous bunch of people and I hate to keep you waiting. I'm also sorry in advance for the length of this post.Riker is a self-mutilating glider, as some of you know already. It started at the onset of puberty and a uti. Luckily I caught it before he did much damage. He only attacks his penis (so far)and had a tiny (smaller than a pinhead) dot of necrotic tissue on the end of one penis that has shed now and healed. He apparently got in one lucky bite. His penis is now healthy and works-no scar tissue, although there is the tiny area he shed on the one so they look slightly different now. We take the collar off frequently, but he is under constant and intense supervision from either my husband or myself when doing so. We know what to look and listen for, so there has been no further damage. He loves the hammock I made for him in his cage to sleep on since he can't use a pouch now, and I also use my detachable jacket hoods to carry him in-plenty roomy and gives him a feeling of security. Know that he is with me or my husband at all times except when we're asleep. Because of how things are going, the fact that this onset occurred when the hormones kicked in and his pom-pom started to drop and he began flossing, my husband and I, after much consideration, have decided to have him neutered and see if it helps the problem at all. We figure it's worth a shot. Riker is absolutely miserable <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/upset.gif" alt="" /> as things are, and it breaks my <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/heartpump.gif" alt="" />heart to see him just sit and stare with a truly depressed look on his face sometimes. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crying.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crying.gif" alt="" />. His appointment with the vet for neutering (a vet who has neutered quite a few sugar gliders-I checked) is Wednesday morning, May 21, at 8 am. I have a few questions on this <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />: 1. Is it Isofluorine I should ask for as the anesthesia? 2. Which painkiller should I request for after the operation? 3. Should I modify his diet in any way after the operation for a day or two? 4. Does anyone have any more info on that collar like AJ has? I truly think he would be happier in one like that! I intend to take the picture with me and talk to the vet about it. 5. I still need to know how to add a vet to the database. There are none listed for Utah, and I have 2 fantastic ones to add: both a regular daytime vet and an emergency vet that is open almost all the nighttime and weekend hours the regular one isn't. I'd appreciate this information-there are quite a few gliders in the Salt Lake City area now, and I want to share the information. Any advice greatly appreciated! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/yelclap.gif" alt="" /> Riker will go in with his collar on, and it will be put back on immediately after surgery. (I do have some pictures of him in his collar, and will put them in his album as soon as I can. We modified the design some so it stays on without choking him, and he can't get it off.) <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/yelclap.gif" alt="" /> I want to tell you all that I get really depressed looking at him in that collar, and sometimes just look at him and cry, although I know it is the best thing for him. I would hate to see him mutilated and in pain more. I realize the fact that this may be a lifetime problem, and after the initial despair am determined to deal with this problem for the rest of his life if need be, and to provide him with the best quality and healthiest life I can. I know that if I hadn't purchased him that day, he would probably be dead, like many of the other babies sold that day (we spoke to a lot of the owners; many of the babies didn't survive more than a few weeks. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shakehead.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crying.gif" alt="" />I almost can't bear thinking of dozens of dead glider babies!!) Also, we've decided to wait for a companion for him for a while. Now that we're getting him neutered, it will be more a matter of size than of sexual maturity as far as the intro period goes. She only needs to be big enough, and I think a healthy glider weaned PROPERLY will probably get to a compatible size a lot faster. I again apologize for the length here, I was in Texas for a week seeing an orthopedic spine surgeon and neurologist, and didn't have a chance to get online but once for a short time. As soon as the surgery is approved by the workman's comp (please pray for that, all <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wave.gif" alt="" />)I'll be going back to Plano for the surgery, and be there with Riker (my parents are building a cage for him there)and my boys for about 3 months while I recover. So my updates (sorry) may be spotty. If any of you are in that area, I'd love to meet you while I'm there. My mom & dad live in Melissa, TX, just North of Plano. Let me know. All of you have a good day, and Health to your gliders. GC gliders are all in my prayers, always! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wave.gif" alt="" />
Jen/Colin Commander Riker 12 16 02-10 04 12 you will be FOREVER missed Sinbad, Gabby, Baby, and Alley
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Re: Update on Commander Riker
[Re: ]
#6703
05/19/03 11:47 PM
05/19/03 11:47 PM
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Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 5,336 Bee-Bopping round SnakePit USA
Bourbon
Serious Glideritis
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Serious Glideritis
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 5,336
Bee-Bopping round SnakePit USA
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Jen, I am so glad things are going okay. I know the E-collar is horrid and we really are trying to work on something better, when we seen that pic, we too thought it may have possiblities for the SM's, but the length of time, may cause some irrration to their front legs, we don't know, so if you are game, please do, try it, but please watch him closely, these guys are just a tad bit (a lot) more tenacious when it comes to getting to those areas. Mary is working / testing out a jacket we came up with, I don't know how it is coming, but hopefully it will help us out, however the jacket would have to be put on after the collar is on, then when the jacket is in place the collar can come back off. Hopefully he is eating well. After the surgery his diet won't need to change, and it will take 30 days for the hormones to get out of his system. To let others know, Jenn already understands that neutering may not solve the problem. In fact she is well aware of all the issues involved with the SM's.. Jen, I did want to ask you, is he still on the meds for the UTI. has he been back for a follow up yet? Is he still going after himself at all, or making his noises?
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Re: Update on Commander Riker
[Re: ]
#6704
05/19/03 11:51 PM
05/19/03 11:51 PM
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Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 11,583 Sycamore Illinois
Karin
Glideritis Anonymous
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Glideritis Anonymous
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 11,583
Sycamore Illinois
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I am sorry I don't know about the meds Jen, but I want to thank you for the update and wish you both nothing but good things in the weeks ahead. *Hugs*
Karin
Miss Lily and Bud Prada and Armani Tessa, Deuce and Cami Tira and Misu Deja and Vu Glider Daydreams
"Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass...It is about learning to dance in the rain!"
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Re: Update on Commander Riker
[Re: ]
#6705
05/20/03 02:24 AM
05/20/03 02:24 AM
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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XFileFan, Isoflorane is the correct anesthesia, and torbutrol, I think that is how it's spelled is the pain meds. It sounds like your vet probably already has everything under control, as hard as it's going to be, try to calm down and spend some time with Ryker since he will be away from home for two nights. I'm sure he would appreciate it! If the vet won't let you take him in the morning of surgery, would she let you in to check on him really late and really early? Or is she planning on taking him home with her to keep an eye on him since he is nocturnal? I know some vets will take the nocturnal animals home with them to keep an eye on them. Especially the higher risk ones like Ryker. I so hope this works for him, I haven't had a self mutilator and consider myself very lucky, I hope I don't have to worry about that ever! Ryker and you will be in my prayers. Good luck on your surgery, please let us know how that goes as well, it must be pretty serious if you are going out so far for tests and then for surgery, I know work comp won't pay for it unless it's practically life or death. Hopefully you will be able to get to a computer or a phone and give us updates on you both! take care!
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